Economic-development group names leaders for rural jobs grant

Henry, Mercer and rural Rock Island counties

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Star Courier - Kewanee, IL

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Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Cambridge

Kathleen Repass of Geneseo has been named the economic development director, and Katie Hobbs of Bettendorf, Iowa the economic development specialist, for a rural jobs grant for Henry, Mercer and rural Rock Island counties.

Both began their duties the first week of January. Their office is in the Henry County Courthouse in Cambridge.

Collaborating with area businesses and municipalities, Henry County Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP) and Bi-State Regional Commission applied for a Rural Jobs Acceleration Innovation Challenge Grant.

As part of the targeted initiatives, HCEDP will sponsor the 2013 Henry-Stark Counties “I Pitched” Entrepreneur Contest. This competition launches entrepreneurs and spurs economic activity.

Last year’s contest resulted in six new business start-ups, three business loans and 10 jobs created or retained.

This year, a category for existing business retention and expansion has been added, and a second competition will be held in Geneseo.

More information on the competitions, which will be held in March and April, is available at www.henrystarkfastpitch.org.

This January, HCEDP was instrumental in accelerating emergency maintenance on the Mississippi River by the Army Corps of Engineers through a letter writing campaign to President Obama, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, and federal and local legislators. The reduction in barge traffic on the Mississippi due to low water levels would have a negative economic effect on the businesses of the region.

HCEDP, working with Henry County firearm manufacturers, is also providing information to legislators on gun control legislation. According to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 25 businesses in Henry County are affected by this legislation.

The Bi-State Regional Commission reports there are 157 small arms manufacturing jobs in the Bi-State Region, with approximately 400 jobs in the industry and over $15 million in annual earnings.

HCEDP Chairman Charlie Lotridge met with Rock Island Clean Line Energy personnel to discuss their proposal to establish a direct-current line through Henry County. HCEDP will post information about the status of the Clean Line project on the HCEDP website, www.hcedp.com.

HCEDP representatives and business leaders will travel to Springfield in March to meet with area legislators to discuss the needs and opportunities of the county and region.